Zacchaeus - Lk. 19:6

"... Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. `He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner.' they grumbled." Lk 19:6

I love the story of Zacchaeus! I can just see this short, pudgy, rich man (who everyone hates), jumping up and down behind the crowd trying to see Jesus, finally resorting to climbing a tree just to catch a glimpse. His excitement is so childlike and genuine. This story says SO much about Jesus. No one can deny that this man was a sinner, but he had a genuinely repentant heart and was actively seeking out the Lord. This was the kind of person Jesus came to save, the lost who recognized who Jesus was -- their Messiah. The Jews, his "people," could only see that Jesus was going into the house of a sinner, as if they were not one themselves! Zacchaeus was blind, but now he could see. As for the Jews, Jesus would say, "I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you..." Lk 19:42

Jesus, help me to always be able to see you in every situation; never let me be blind to what you are doing.

Today's reading: Est. 9-10; Lk. 19